Riser for subsurface drainage pipe

ABSTRACT

A pull up riser with at least one drainage port near its upper end is provided for attachment to a subsurface drain system to speed drainage from low areas during times of high water.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/374,178 filed Apr. 19, 2002, the disclosure of whichis herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to an attachment for an undergrounddrainage pipe system. Subsurface drainage systems have been known formany years. The classic French Drain, which is an earth-covered,gravel-filled sloping trench, with various improvements, is in extremelywide use to rid poorly drained areas of standing water. One of theshortcomings, however, of this type of drainage system is that itsdrainage capabilities fail over time, due to a buildup of silt in thesystem, leading to water standing in the area of the drain for morelengthy periods of time.

[0003] An improvement to a subsurface drainage system to more quicklydrain water from a poorly drained area or silted in drain would be verydesirable.

[0004] One variation of the French drain is used to drain sand bunkerson a golf course. The drains are preferably placed during bunkerconstruction, by forming a sloping trench along the bottom of thebunker, laying landscape fabric in the trench, laying a perforated pipeon the fabric, filling over the pipe with gravel, folding the fabricover the gravel, and layering the sand over the folded fabric. Overtime, however, silt collects in the bunker in such a manner to preventrapid water infiltration to the pipe, resulting in standing water afterheavy rains, which is typically must be pumped out by maintenance crewsto bring the course back into serviceable condition within a reasonableperiod of time.

[0005] Standing water in the bunkers changes the designed difficulty ofthe course, is unsightly, and may give rise to vermin such as mosquitos.It is therefore necessary to promptly remove the water so that golferstraversing the course over time enjoy the same quality of services.

[0006] A less labor intensive technique to drain these bunkers would bevery desirable.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of this invention to provide an improvedsubsurface drain system.

[0008] It is another object of this invention to provide an attachmentfor a subsurface drainage system which can be used to increase itsperformance.

[0009] It is a further object of this invention to provide a drainagemethod which is especially useful for draining golf course bunkers.

[0010] It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatusand method for improving drainage of surface waters by improving flow toa subsurface drain system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided animprovement for a subsurface drain system comprising a buried perforateddrain pipe sloped to carry water away from a pick up area to a desireddestination, wherein water infiltration from the surface of the earth tothe pipe is inadequate under all conditions to prevent a pool of waterfrom forming on the surface of the earth above the buried drain pipe.The improvement comprises a riser tube mounted to the drain pipe so asto be extendable from a retracted position in which an upper end of theriser tube is beneath the surface of the earth to an extended positionin which the upper end of the riser tube is above the surface of theearth. When in the extended position, the riser tube forms a flow pathfrom the pool of water to the pipe to provide rapid drainage of waterfrom the pool.

[0012] In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided amethod to provide means for more rapid draining of water from pool ofwater standing in a low area and having a subsurface drain pipe situatedunderneath, on an as needed basis. The method is carried out byproviding the drain pipe with an extendable riser tube, said riser tubehaving an at least one opening near its upper end to form a flow pathfrom a surface of the sand bunker to the subsurface drain pipe when theriser tube is in an extended position.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided amethod for draining water from a sand bunker. The method is carried outby locating an upper end of a riser tube buried beneath an upper surfaceof the sand in the sand bunker, said riser tube being in flowcommunication with a subsurface drain pipe running beneath the sandbunker, and pulling up the riser tube until an upper end of the risertube is above the surface of the sand to expose at least one drain holeleading into the riser tube to water standing in the bunker.

[0014] The invention will allow golf course maintenance crews to tieexisting sub-surface drainage with a telescoping surface drain pipe.When drainage is not necessary, the drain pipe can be lowered below thebunker sand surface. This allows the drain to go undetected by golfers.

[0015] Today's maintenance crews are expected to pump all sand bunkersafter a rain. This wastes many man hours and increases the time it takesthe golfer to complete a round of golf. If maintenance crews' time isincreased and golf rounds are cut back because of water in the bunkers,the golf course owner/operators have wasted money. The dollar valuesaved by the bunker drain depends on the amount of annual rain fall andannual rounds of golf played on the course. When these two primaryfactors are substantial then the dollar value saved is substantial.

[0016] Although the invention is described primarily in terms of itsapplication in a golf course setting, it expected to provide substantialbenefits in any setting where silt or clay impedes percolation ofsurface water to the subsurface drain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a cross section of a golf course bunker showing theriser in an extended position.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a portion of the invention as shownin FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the invention as shown in FIG. 2 withthe riser in the retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] A subsurface drain system 20 comprises a buried perforated drainpipe 22 sloped to carry water away from a pick up area to a desireddestination. The drain pipe is generally positioned in a bed of gravel26, and perforations 24 are oriented downwardly. The invention has itgreatest application where water infiltration from the surface 28 of theearth to the pipe is inadequate under all conditions to prevent a pool40 of water from forming on the surface of the earth above the burieddrain pipe. The improvement comprises a riser tube 30 mounted to thedrain pipe so as to be extendable from a retracted position in which anupper end of the riser tube is beneath the surface of the earth (FIG. 3)to an extended position in which the upper end of the riser tube isabove the surface of the earth (FIG. 2). The riser tube, when in theextended position, forms a flow path from the pool of water to the pipeto provide rapid drainage of water from the pool.

[0021] For a general landscape application, the upper end of the risertube is buried under a layer of earth or fill, for example, bark, whenit is in the retracted position. For a golf course application, theupper end of the riser tube will generally be buried under sand. FIG. 1shows such an embodiment of the invention in use to drain a pool formedin a golf course sand bunker having a subsurface drain pipe underlyingthe bunker.

[0022] Because the end of the riser can be buried, it can be placed inthe lowest part of the bunker. This will provide the best drainage.Because the end of the riser can be elevated above the surface of thesand, it can be used without permitting high levels of sand to enter thedrain system, which can lead to eventual plugging. Prior art attempts tosolve the problem of water accumulating in the bunkers always faced oneof these shortcomings. Devices that are on the surface of the bunkerwhen not in use cannot be placed in the lowest part of the bunker,because they are too likely to interfere with the lay of the ball.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the riser tube telescopes verticallyinto the drain pipe. Best results are obtained when the drain pipe isfitted with an upwardly facing collar through which the riser tubeclosely slides. A “T” fitting mounted on the drain pipe will providegood results and is preferred. Existing drain pipe can be employed.Commonly, such pipe is plastic corrugated (banded) pipe, referred to inthe industry as ADS pipe.

[0024] Preferably, the upper end of the riser tube is fitted with aremovable end plug 2. A threaded plug has been used with good results.An upper side of removable end plug is preferably fitted with a lifthandle facing away from the drain pipe. A U-bolt 3 has been used withgood results.

[0025] If desired, the removable end plug can be associated with a metalto facilitate its detection when in a buried state. For example, aferrous metal could be embedded in the plug for detection with anelectronic metal detector or a powerful magnet. The riser can also belocated with a probe.

[0026] The riser optionally has a plurality of lateral openings 11 nearthe upper end of the riser tube to form a portion of the flow path fromthe pool of water to the pipe to provide rapid drainage from the pool.Three-eighths inch openings can be used with good results. By having theend plug removable to form a portion of the flow path from the pool ofwater to the pipe even more rapid drainage from the pool can beprovided, and using the end plug without the lateral openings ispresently preferred.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, and with reference to the drawings,element 1 is a 4 inch threaded PVC Tee. It is used to house the innersleeve and bushing and can be attached to multiple types of undergroundpipe by using commercially available adapters. Element 2 is a 3 inchthreaded PVC plug. This plug can be removed when the drain is in the upposition to allow large volumes of water to be discharged. Element 3 isa {fraction (3/4)} inch U bolt with nuts. This element permits the 3inch PVC nipple to be pulled up and the 3″ PVC plug to be removed.Element 4 is the riser, which is a 3 inch PVC pipe nipple. The nippleallows the opening of the drain to be moved up and down, generally onthe order of about 6-8 inches. The riser can be any desired length,depending on the burial depth of the existing drainage piping, and willgenerally be selected so that it is buried 3-4 inches in the retractedposition, without unduly blocking drainage through the existing drainagepipe, and positionable up to 3-4 inches above the predominant sandsurface in the bottom of the bunker when in the extended position. Formany applications, the riser will be 6-12 inches in length. Element 5 isa 4 inch threaded PVC Bushing. This element keeps sand from enteringelement 1 and keeps element 4 from pulling out of the housing, by way ofthe nipple stop. Element 6 is a 3 inch threaded PVC female adapter. Thiselement allows elements 2 and 4 to be connected. Element 7 is a 3 inchnipple stop to prevent element 4 from being pulled out of the housing.In a prototype unit, a pop rivet was used with good results. Element 8is block or mass of stabilized sand, or cement or concrete, preferablypoured around the unit to keep the drain from pulling free from existingdrainage pipe when the riser and plug are manipulated. Element 9 isbunker sand, which permits the drain to be covered while hiding it fromview of golfers. Element 10 is compacted soil.

[0028] While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have beendescribed herein, the invention is not to be construed as being solimited, except to the extent that such limitations are found in theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a subsurface drain system comprising a buriedperforated drain pipe sloped to carry water away from a pick up area toa desired destination, wherein water infiltration from the surface ofthe earth to the pipe is inadequate under all conditions to prevent apool of water from forming on the surface of the earth above the burieddrain pipe, the improvement comprising a riser tube mounted to the drainpipe so as to be extendable from a retracted position in which an upperend of the riser tube is beneath the surface of the earth to an extendedposition in which the upper end of the riser tube is above the surfaceof the earth, said riser tube when in the extended position forming aflow path from the pool of water to the pipe to provide rapid drainageof water from the pool.
 2. A drain system as in claim 1 wherein theupper end of the riser tube is buried under a layer of earth when in theretracted position.
 3. A drain system as in claim 2 wherein the upperend of the riser tube is buried under sand.
 4. A drain system as inclaim 3 wherein subsurface drain pipe underlies a golf course sandbunker.
 5. A drain system as in claim 1 wherein the riser tubetelescopes vertically into the drain pipe.
 6. A drain system as in claim5 wherein the riser tube slides up and down in a “T” fitting mounted onthe drain pipe.
 7. A drain system as in claim 5 wherein the upper end ofthe riser tube is fitted with a removable end plug.
 8. A drain system asin claim 7 wherein an upper side of the removable end plug is fittedwith a lift handle facing away from the drain pipe.
 9. A drain system asin claim 7 wherein the removable end plug is associated with a metal tofacilitate its detection when in a buried state.
 10. A drain system asin claim 7 wherein a plurality of lateral openings near the upper end ofthe riser tube are provided to form a portion of the flow path from thepool of water to the pipe to provide rapid drainage from the pool.
 11. Adrain system as in claim 7 wherein the removable end plug is removableto form a portion of the flow path from the pool of water to the pipe toprovide rapid drainage from the pool.
 12. A method to provide means formore rapid draining of water from pool of water standing in a low areaand having a subsurface drain pipe situated underneath, on an as neededbasis, said method comprising providing the drain pipe with anextendable riser tube, said riser tube having an at least one openingnear its upper end to form a flow path from a surface of the sand bunkerto the subsurface drain pipe when the riser tube is in an extendedposition.
 13. A method as in claim 12 wherein the lower area is a golfcourse sand bunker and the riser tube is extendable from a retractedposition in which the upper end of the riser tube is beneath the surfaceof the sand bunker so that the riser tube can be concealed by sand inthe bunker.
 14. A method for draining water from a sand bunker, saidmethod comprising locating an upper end of a riser tube buried beneathan upper surface of the sand in the sand bunker, said riser tube beingin flow communication with a subsurface drain pipe running beneath thesand bunker, and pulling up the riser tube until an upper end of theriser tube is above the surface of the sand and exposing at least onedrain hole leading into the riser tube to water standing in the bunker.